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Project Title:Revenue Enhancement through Public/Public PartnershipsInstitution Name:University of the District of Columbia
Innovation Category:Resource Management
Project Director:Karen Wong, Business Associate, Performance Management—FinanceContact Information:(202) 274-5544,
kwong@udc.eduWebsite:http://www.udc.edu Project Description:The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) renovated a key university building through partnerships with the District of Columbia government and District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) while generating revenue and creating a pipeline for additional enrollment. “Building 52” was a campus facility that previously housed the UDC School of Business, but was vacated due to major renovation needs. UDC leased Building 52 to the D.C. government, which needed a swing space for Wilson High School, a DCPS school nearby, while the school’s permanent space was being renovated. In this partnership, UDC received market-based rent for the lease period and the D.C. government assumed responsibility for the costs associated with the Building 52 renovation project.
Objectives:
- Finish building renovations to meet university needs after the Wilson High School leases ends in 2011. This will be evaluated by an assessment of Building 52’s condition and renovation timeliness in 2011.
- Generate new revenue to fund university needs through market-based rent payments for the lease period that Wilson High School occupies Building 52. This will be evaluated by the amount of new revenue generated.
- Increase enrollment at UDC through partnerships and proximity with Wilson High School. This will be measured by the number of students from Wilson High School that attend UDC.
- Highlight Wilson High School as a model of partnership with DCPS schools through programs, such as dual enrollment and shared student activities. This will be measured by the quality and number of partnerships between UDC and Wilson High School.
Outcomes:
- The evaluation of the building in 2011 to determine that the building is up to university needs and meets original renovation design specifications. The newly renovated 170,000 square-foot building will have next-generation instructional capabilities.
- The revenue generated from the Wilson High School lease (over $4 million of new revenue in AY2010-2011).
- Future enrollment numbers of students from Wilson High School over a five-year period starting in 2011.
- The quality and number of joint UDC/Wilson High School initiatives. Within the 3 months that Wilson High School has been housed in Building 52, new partnerships/initiatives include:
- Opportunities for Wilson High School students to take UDC course offerings
- Events and speakers for UDC and Wilson High School
- A joint UDC/Wilson High School Open House
Challenges/Problems Encountered:A key challenge in developing this option was the limited time for implementation of lease details. After the lease was established, the construction and partnership with UDC had to be instituted within a limited time period. Another challenge on the academic/student programming side was aligning the policies of the University with the policies of DCPS, such as graduation and course requirements.
Evaluation Approach:The program will be evaluated by the university campus services team to determine if the project meets institutional needs and if the renovations adhere to original design specifications. From an academic/student programming side, feedback from Wilson High School students and key university staff will be reviewed in order to assess and modify as needed our joint partnership programs. Enrollment numbers of Wilson High School students will also serve as a key evaluative metric.
Potential for Replication:There is potential for replication through the utilization of creative approaches to financing building renovations while simultaneously building and enhancing partnerships with local schools. Universities can incorporate renovation/design terms into leases with external stakeholders to alleviate renovation and design costs borne upon the institutions themselves. This approach also provides opportunities to build and enhance partnerships with local high schools, thus further developing a sense of community and building a strong student pipeline to the local public university. Adjustments should be made accordingly depending on current relationships with local schools/governments/business partners, leases, and renovation needs.
CEO-to-CEO Contact:Allen Sessoms
, Presidentasessoms@udc.edu
(202) 274-6016 Date Published: Monday, March 28, 2011